Name

Breadfruit - Artocarpus altilis

Introduction:

The Breadfruit tree is native to Pacific islands and has an edible fruit with a texture like bread.  Due to its prevalence throughout Jamaica, it is a common compliment to the national dish (Ackee and Saltfish), and is often roasted or fried.  Breadfruit trees can grow rather tall, in excess of  30m tall.

Parishes Found

Widespread throughout Jamaica

Description:

Leaves:

• Simple, alternate;
• Entire, toothed or lobed;
• With conical stipules, sometimes with obvious stipular scar
• Quick white latex often at base of petiole when leaf removed.

Inflorescence: 

• Flowers usually tiny, unisexual, often in dnse heads, catkins, or with expanded disks or hollow receptacles, rarely solitary.
  

Fruit:

• A small achene or drupe, these often fused in into a flesh affregate frui, or the inflorexcence turned inside-out to forum a synconium.

Uses: